THE STORM SISTER by Lucinda Riley

 

Massive series this Seven Sisters series. Must be extremely difficult to consistently hold together all the threads of these sisters and their stories, plus the stories of all their origins. So much to juggle, and this is only story number 2. Despite the various online reader reviews saying this probably worst of the books so far published, I actually really liked it. I liked Ally, found her personal story quite believable, admired her courage in getting on with her life, her independence, her good heart. 

Ally is a professional sailor, very good at what she does, in demand for international crewing. A short lived and tragic love affair leaves her totally bereft, and with the death of her father - the enigmatic Pa Salt - who leaves each of the girls with the coordinates of their birth, she decides to go to those coordinates. Norway. What she uncovers is her connection to the late nineteenth century composer Edvard Grieg, the writer Henrik Ibsen and the classical music, players and singers of the day. Central to this cast of characters is Anna Landvik, a wonderfully talented singer who achieves great heights as natural interpreter of Grieg's music. The story in the past follows Anna's life, and those of her descendants.  All incredibly interesting and absorbing. Being a classical music nut, I loved this storyline. The power of music to transform lives and our inner souls. 

I have now read 3 of the books, I do like them without loving them. I do want to keep reading the series just to find out how it all holds together. They aren't perfect stories or perfectly well written, but they are still compelling, and I do want to find out what happens next. What better reason is there to read a book or follow a series.